Child maintenance service - random review??

[Username22344]

My annual review is not due till next year, so I was a bit shocked when I received a letter saying my case has been reviewed and the amount changed slightly and that’s the amount I will get until next review, which is in a few months! I didn’t ask for a review, do child maintenance service review cases randomly (in between annual reviews) or do they just review it if one of the parents asks? The letter doesn’t say anything, only says it has been reviewed? the payment went slightly up, but I’m finding it really strange that the payment changed a few months before the annual review?

[unicornsarereal72]

Phone them. They have been pretty helpful when I have called. Maybe ex changed jobs and asked for review?

[doritosdip]

Is your ex having a child or moving in with someone who has a child?

[sue51]

It might have gone up due to information cms received from hmrc. Give them a call on monday to clarify.

[Username22344]

@sue51 would the HMRC send them information without anyone requesting it? I'm asking because we are due our annual review in a few months. I'm just wondering if sometimes cms checks the nrp income throughout the year (in between annual review) to make sure payments are correct?

[SpideyMom]

My child's maintenance was reviewed a few months after his annual review. This was due to his dad declaring a new child so it went down. But yours went up so maybe a new job?

[sue51]

That's a point. They do only review annually. Could your ex have had a pay rise and has actually told cms about his increased salary?

[Username22344]

@sue51 no chance, he would never tell them. I don't think he ever answered any letters or phone calls from cms. All the info they have was given by me and income comes directly from HMRC, ex never sends proof of income. The letter I received just says, "we reviewed your case", it doesn't mention whether it was because of a change of circumstances or not. No calculation included like in the annual review, so no idea if ex is earning slightly more and cms is somehow aware of it. I did read though that cms only changes payments if for example my ex was now earning 25% more or less, which wouldn't be the case here as payment only went up a bit.

I don't think he has a new job and if he did he would never let cms know anyway.

Thanks for all the replies

[Username22344]

@SpideyMom when you had your case reviewed did it mention that it was because of a change of circumstances? Mine just says they have worked out my payments until my next annual review, but no reason?

[SpideyMom]

No I had to call up. They basically did my review. Told me what his maintenance was for the year and the monthly payments. Had 3 months then a random letter saying we have reviewed your payments blah blah blah.
It pissed me off if I am honest. I haven't had the best experience with them.
My exs payment are taken from his wages and his has been allowed to build alot of arrears shall we say. So this further review after the annual review and his payments went down I called them asking how it is possible. 2 months later he was allowed to miss 2 months payments as apparently he had cleared all his arrears. After involving my MP it turns out that he hadn't cleared the arrears at all so has built up more but his payments went down. I was then told he hs declared a new child

[IdiotInDisguise]

If he has a salaried job, he cannot really hide as they get the details directly from the HMRC, if he is self employed that is a complete kettle of fish.

The CMS will not do another review automatically when the salary increases (that is done in the annual review. My bet is that he appealed to the decision and failed.